1. What skills, background or special abilities would you bring to the Board of Supervisors?

I'm a mom, small businesswoman, and neighborhood activist who can bring a strong community voice to the Board of Supervisors. As a long-time neighborhood activist, I speak — and, more importantly, listen — to people from all walks of life: tenants, merchants, police, parents, and more. As a small business owner, I understand our city's economic ups and downs, and can get things done with tight timelines and tighter budgets. Finally, as a mother raising two public school boys on Haight Street, I have a unique vision for improving our City, from reliable Muni to safe schools and streets.

2. How would you keep families from leaving San Francisco?

I am the only mother running for the District 5 seat, and if elected, I will be the only mother on the Board of Supervisors. As such, I have a unique perspective on this issue. Families are leaving San Francisco because of exorbitant housing prices, uncertainty in education, and safety concerns. City Hall fails to recognize their community commitment. My solution includes advocating for construction of thousands of units of low- and middle-income housing large enough for families, working with the BOE to increase certainty in child placement, and continuing my work to create safe streets, schools, and homes.

3. What does the city need to do about homelessness? What's working that you favor? What's not being done?

Being homeless is not a crime. The challenge of it must be addressed with respect and consideration. Many of our District 5 homeless neighbors suffer from alcohol, drug addiction, mental health issues or are runaway LGBT youth. I opposed sit-lie — it was a politically motivated decision when there were plenty of laws on the books to address the problem of loitering. The true solution to homelessness relies on a combination of social services, mental health services, police, homeless advocates and — something that has yet to be included in efforts — resident involvement and input.

4. Do you favor Mayor Lee's focus and strategies on attracting tech jobs?

As Supervisor, my priority will be supporting the small businesses that are the economic engine of our City. We undoubtedly benefit from large high-tech firms (e.g., Twitter). But City Hall must develop a balanced approach that attracts jobs and companies of all sizes and industries. Otherwise, we risk being beholden to one industry and exacerbating our historic boom/bust tendencies. We cannot afford to give tax breaks and extend special City services to big tech firms, while treating small business as an afterthought. San Francisco is the entrepreneurial center of the West Coast, and we've forgotten that entrepeneurs start small.

5. Do you support the city's Transit First policies that emphasize public transit over private vehicles? Is a wider bike lane system working? Do plans to expand parking meter locations make sense? Is the surge in car-sharing services a good idea?

The goal of the City's Transit First policies is to have 50% of all trips taken in cars, which is a middling approach, rather than emphasizing public transit over private vehicles. I serve on the Executive Board of the San Francisco Transit Riders Union and I pushed for all-door boarding and free MUNI for youth. As with public safety, transit and biking work best when they're safe and accessible. The wider bike lane system is effective given mutual respect between all parties, including pedestrians. The expansion of parking meters makes sense, as they provide much needed revenue for the City.

6. Do you favor a proposed Warriors arena on Piers 30-32?

I support the proposed Warriors arena on Piers 30-32, with the condition that it not cause undue congestion and problems for neighbors in the community. Hopefully, this will provide economic benefit and jobs to the City.

7. Has the city struck a fair balance between tenant and landlord rights? If not, what changes would you advocate?

I received a questionnaire from the San Francisco Tenants Union and the Small Property Owners Association, but responded to neither. Each wanted me to pledge support for measures more extreme than presently in place. I was previously a renter and am now a small property owner, which has worked out well for my tenants and me. There are certainly abuses by property owners and those using the rent control system. As Supervisor, I would like to find innovative ways to get more housing on the market, rather than rehashing well-worn positions and talking points from either side.

8. What additional steps, if any, should the city take to reduce its unfunded liability for retiree health coverage?

All current and new public employers either are or will be paying into a trust fund by January 2016. To secure this investment, City must require greater transparency and accountability by healthcare providers. As Supervisor, I'd bring the many thoughtful stakeholders to the table. These groups must continue to bend the cost curve for health care services. Single-payer healthcare would move from a for-profit system and reduce cost. And as we all know, a pound of prevention is worth a pound of cure — I support wellness programs to keep employees healthy in both the public and private sectors.

9. Should Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi be removed from office?

There is no doubt that Sheriff Mirkarimi did something wrong, which he himself admitted. But there's also no doubt that the whole thing has turned into a bit of a political circus. My opinion has always been that we the people voted Sheriff Mirkarimi in, and we the people should have the final decision on whether he stays or goes. I fully support a recall and wonder if the recall wouldn't have happened sooner without the Board of Supervisors being asked to vote for us.

10. Do you favor allowing apartments of 150 square feet as a low-cost housing option?

Given the need for more affordable housing, I welcome any and all innovative design approaches. I would support the aforementioned housing option if it is well designed and appeals to residents of modest means. Clearly this would not solve the housing needs for a 4-person family, but rather is a mixed approach to a multi-faceted housing problem. Plus, I can appreciate the appeal for such housing. I've stayed at The Pod in New York City, which is a fun Midtown hotel that offers reasonable, yet smaller-sized accommodations.

11. Should public nudity be banned in San Francisco?

The furor surrounding public nudity is a classic overreaction. Erections and public sex are already outlawed. Let's use what's already on the books to address those issues. As a mom with two kids, I don't think it's freaky for kids to see naked people — don't look if you don't like it. I am much more concerned that we think it's acceptable to walk past members of San Francisco's homeless population on a daily basis and not respond to its serious implications of poverty, social inequity, mental health, and substance addiction,. (Plus, come cold weather, the problem goes away.)

12. Do you favor the ranked choice system of electing officeholders or a return to the top two finishers competing in a runoff?

Ranked choice voting is a progressive-minded reform that elevates more diverse voices, particularly those of lesser means, across the political spectrum. I would not have entered this race were it not for this system. As Supervisor, I will continue to support this much-needed cornerstone of San Francisco elections. I have grown increasingly alarmed at the monetary influence of downtown development interests and political insider interests. Ranked choice voting, public financing, and district elections help candidates like myself – candidates who enjoy strong neighborhood support, yet face strong opposition from City Hall insiders – to win races.

13. Do you support the current system of 11 district supervisors? If not, what changes would you advocate such as changing the number of supervisors and/or at-large seats?

I support San Francisco's current system of 11 district supervisors and would not advocate any changes regarding the number of supervisors and/or seats.

14. Do you have a priority issue that is not in this questionnaire?

Crime is a deeply personal issue. In 2007, two young men were shot point-blank across from my family's house on Haight St. We pulled together as a neighborhood and turned the street around to one that's safe, thriving, and inclusive. I helped found the Lower Haight Merchant + Neighbor Association and was its President, We've organized 150-person safety meetings with police, merchants, neighbors, and City Hall representatives. Our neighborhoods need more foot patrols, more community policing, and smarter enforcement. As Supervisor I would support programs for at-risk youth and strengthen restorative justice for offenders who return to our communities.

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